The author shares their childhood, exploring themes of family dynamics, identity, and self-acceptance. Growing up in a liberal Jewish household, they faced tension surrounding their sexuality and political views. A significant incident involving a teenage relationship led to family conflict. The narrative also highlights the author's love for swimming, likening it to a spiritual experience, and the metaphor of learning to 'bend' like a tree for personal growth. Their long-term partnership is characterized by a balance of closeness and independence, with reflections on contemporary political disillusionment.
"Getting discovered with my teenage girlfriend by her parents caused an explosion. Two families condemned each other, accused the other of all sorts. Social workers and psychiatrists were summoned."
"A good swim means losing all sense of time. Following a fight at school, a teacher asked me to imitate a tree. He wanted me to learn to bend, rather than always digging down into an entrenched, immovable position."
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